Mammootty’s Visit To Wayanad Landslide Rehabilitation Township Triggers Political Row
A visit by Malayalam actor Mammootty to Wayanad to see the rehabilitation township built for families affected by the 2024 landslide has sparked a political controversy in Kerala.
The actor visited the township at Kalpetta in Wayanad on March 7 to view the housing project developed by the Left Democratic Front government for people displaced by the Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslide.
During the visit, a hot-mic moment involving the actor and a local political leader went viral on social media.
In the clip, Mammootty was heard asking K. Rafeeq, the district secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Wayanad, why he was standing beside him at the site. The actor said people might think he had come there at the party’s request.
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The video quickly spread online and led to debates between supporters of the CPI(M) and the Indian National Congress.
Several people close to the situation said that Mammootty had visited Wayanad in a casual and personal capacity and did not intend to create any political controversy.
According to them, the actor was already in the district for a film shoot schedule and decided to visit the rehabilitation township to see the progress of the houses built for families affected by the landslide.
They said Mammootty only remarked because he did not want the public to misunderstand his visit as one arranged by or linked to any political party.
CPI(M) supporters said Rafeeq had come to the township to receive the party’s general secretary, M. A. Baby, who was also visiting the area, and not specifically to accompany Mammootty.
They also pointed out that Rafeeq had played an active role in relief and rescue operations through the Democratic Youth Federation of India during the landslide disaster.
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Leaders from the Congress criticised what they described as online attacks against Mammootty after the video surfaced.
Meanwhile, P. A. Muhammad Riyas defended Rafeeq, saying he had been closely involved in relief activities in Wayanad after the landslide. P. Rajeeve said Mammootty had praised the rehabilitation township during his visit and described it as an example of social rebuilding after a disaster.
The township project was developed to rehabilitate families displaced by the 2024 landslide in Wayanad, which caused widespread damage in the region. Mammootty’s visit was intended to see the progress of the project and interact with affected residents, but the viral video has now added a political dimension to the visit.
